FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Mandy Gauldin, 970-945-5534


LEADVILLE AND TWIN LAKES HOST FIVE DIFFERENT COMPETITIONS ON FEBRUARY 20, 2010
Competitions include an ice fishing derby, a nighttime winter mountain bike race, a tele-fest a winter triathlon, and a drink and dessert contest  

LEADVILLE, Colo. (February 12, 2010) — If you’re not planning to be in Vancouver for the Winter Olympics on February 20, you should be heading to Lake County, Colorado. There are five different competitions lined up in Leadville and Twin Lakes that day, with a schedule that includes a little bit of something for everyone: an ice fishing derby, a nighttime winter mountain bike race, a tele-fest and a winter triathlon, plus a drink and dessert contest to keep the taste buds happy. Here’s the lineup for the day: 

The Street Swell Winter Triathlon #2 will be held at Colorado Mountain College - Timberline Campus in Leadville and includes an 8k ski race, 10k bike race and 5k snowshoe race. The race is part of the Pedal Power Winter Nordic Snowshoe Adventure Series and starts at 10 a.m. Call (970)845-0931 or download registration forms at http://www.pedalpowerbike.com.

The Annual Leadville Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Derby will be held at Twin Lakes February 20 and 21. Categories include Mackinaw, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Kakanee Salmon. Contact Larry Mason at (719)486-3929 for more information. 

The Tennessee Pass Night Jam is a fast race through the trees at Ski Cooper. Register and check in at the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center from 5-6:30 p.m. The race starts at 7 p.m. and is part of the Winter Mountain Bike Race Series. Bring your lights! 

The 5th Annual Ski Cooper Tele-Fest includes an uphill, downhill, uphill race, plus a giant slalom.  Registration starts at 8 a.m. on the top floor of the Ski Cooper Lodge. The races are at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., with an awards party and prize drawings in the Lodge from 2 – 5 p.m. Call Jeff Maddex at (719)486-3531 for more information. 

The Second Annual Crystal Carnival Original Drink and Dessert Contest runs through March 5. The contestants are: Cookies with Altitude, Doc Holliday’s, Szechuan Taste, Tennessee Pass Cafe and Wild Bill’s in the desserts category, and Bobbie’s Place, Doc Holliday’s, The Grill, The Manhattan, Pastime Bar, Quincy’s, Silver Dollar Saloon, Tennessee Pass Cafe, and Zichitella’s in the drinks category.  Ballots are available at each participating business.

Located in the center of Colorado, 103 miles west of Denver and 129 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, Leadville is known for its outdoor recreation, rich history, Victorian architecture, friendly small-town atmosphere, and beautiful scenery. The downtown district is lined with charming shops, eateries and inns. For more information, go to http://www.visitleadvillecolorado.info, call 888-532-3845 or stop by the Leadville Lake County Visitor Center at 809 Harrison.  ###

About Leadville and Twin Lakes
Leadville, the highest incorporated city in North America, is located in the geographic center of Colorado, 103 miles west of Denver and 129 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, on US Highway 24, part of the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway. Once one of America’s richest, longest-lived and bawdiest mining boomtowns, 70 square blocks of the downtown area has been designated as a National Historic Landmark of Victorian architecture. Activities include skiing, fishing, camping, golfing, hiking, whitewater rafting, four-wheeling, biking, museums, historical tours and train rides. Nearby Twin Lakes, located 15 minutes from Leadville at the eastern entrance to Independence Pass, is also a National Historic District and a popular summer destination for camping, boating, hiking and fishing. Visit www.visitleadvillecolorado.info for more information.